tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-209519762014-10-02T21:26:00.209-07:00Blissful BeeWelcome to our family's homelife blog. We are a homeschooling family with four children. They are GM age 10, GD age 8 and ME age 5 and our fresh little Baby O. We set this up to share with family and friends who ask "what have you guys been up too"?Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.comBlogger198125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-75571333246076188152009-05-11T06:57:00.001-07:002009-05-11T06:58:16.898-07:00The blog has moved...I decided, and Im not all that sure why, to change my blog address. I guess a fresh start felt right!!!<div><br /></div><div>Anyway you can find me at www.karibarrera.blogspot.com </div><div><br /></div><div>THANKS</div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-54177415405762387302009-01-06T07:07:00.002-08:002009-01-06T07:33:56.898-08:00My poor abandoned blog...OK, I admit it, I am a lame blogger. Im actually OK with that though. In order for me to be a good blogger something else in my life would have to give, and lately that something would be sleep. Trust me, as much as I enjoy draining my thoughts out onto my keyboard I much prefer sleep over just about anything. Lately actually, that would be anything!!!<div><br /></div><div>Baby O is thriving, doing well and a ball of joy. He, however, does not sleep very much. He might take one nap a day, and then he is up at least two times a night but typically three. He sleeps with us and nurses throughout the night. I am super lazy on this one and just roll over, give him the breast and try to fall back to sleep. What I have noticed however is that even though I am sleeping while he is nursing (and sleeping) I am not sleeping well until he latches off and I can roll over onto my belly. My point is that even though he is up a few times and sleeps while nursing himself back to a solid sleep, I am not really resting until he get there, which means I am up for a couple hours each night. Im not complaining necessarily, I am simply explaining why sleep is so important to me these days. :-)</div><div><br /></div><div>So, what else has been going on with us?</div><div><br /></div><div>We are doing well, my husband still has a job which these days is a blessing. We are nervous, as most people are, and trying to figure out what we would do if we somehow lost our only source of income. The ideas range from selling the house and living in a camper while traveling the North American Continent (my idea) to saving every dime we can and hoping to be prepared should this horrible possibility actually occur (his idea). Basically, we are taking his route on this one. You never know though...</div><div><br /></div><div>The kids are great, they are growing and learning and expanding their interests. Our oldest is really developing a love of art. He is still fencing, drumming, and working on his lessons, but art has become a fascination of his. He is actually a really talented and creative person. Rare for kids with his dx, but wonderful. My little guy is not so little anymore. He will be 10 this spring and is going through that lovely time known as the nine year change. I remember this with my older son. It is similar to the three year old thing, except with different behaviors but a very familiar level of parental frustration. He did get some bunnies this year to tend. That seems to help us get through the nine year thing and to develop a sense of independence and responsibility. I think it is working. We did lose one of them early on, which was a terrible blow to him, however a wonderful learning experience. I hope to never see that level of sadness in my son's face ever again. I just remember wanting desperately to say or do the right thing and knowing that this was one of those times where I could really only hug him and comfort him and express my sadness to him. I hope I didnt scar the poor kid. I guess we will find out in therapy down the road.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our daughter is growing and becoming really independent. She is an interesting ride. Very strong willed, inspired and stubborn. She is creative and smart as can be. Her ability to be resourceful is almost scary. She will be a really great woman one day. Her complete honesty can be challenging sometimes, but mostly only because it is uncomfortable to not have her "perform" for the public. She either wants to hug you or she doesnt. It is that simple. She is learning to read right now. This is the second child I have gotten to teach to read. It is a really fun and exciting experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am doing well. Trying to develop systems for our home to function smoothly. Im trying to have a good new year where I am in charge of my house and my multiple responsibilities as opposed to them being in charge of me. We'll see how I do. I figure if I use this blog as a way to record my progress and to keep my motivation maybe I will make some progress!!! :-)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-83536384866856030832008-11-04T11:04:00.002-08:002008-11-04T11:05:18.509-08:00Catching Up...Well, my efforts to hold myself accountable have been rather lame, at least for the posting portion of things. Im going to attempt to update things as we have been quite busy!!!<br /><br />Stay tuned!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-22819154345280495262008-10-05T10:53:00.002-07:002008-10-05T11:26:48.060-07:00Sunday *Staging Day*Growing up in the restaurant/food service industry I am familiar with the idea of a staging area. An area where you have all your supplies and needs set up for quick access and a seamless feel to an event. You will have your coffee cups, your extra napkins, the service setups for the next phase of an event.<br /><br />Well, I have decided that this is what I need for our life. A staging area, or beter yet, a staging day. A day where we get the house to a balanced level, I have materials gathered and ready for classes, projects, upcoming events and lessons. I have a master list of things that need to be done and all shopping or organizing done.<br /><br />enter... SUNDAY!!<br /><br />So, we spend Saturday much like a weekday, the kids have classes and volunteer work and we try to do some sort of family fun thing in the afternoon. So, that leaves me Sunday to get everything gathered and ready for the next week. I will admit to blowing the morning hours on coffee, chatting with my husband and goofing off on the computer, but now it is time to dig in!!<br /><br />Here is the list...<br /><ul><li>Laundry all caught up and put away</li><li>Dishes done and put away</li><li>Dinners planned out for the week</li><li>Bathrooms cleaned</li><li>Floors all vacuumed and mopped</li><li>House dusted</li><li>Study cleaned completely</li><li>Porch plants all watered</li><li>Chicken Coop cleaned out</li><li>Bunny hutches cleaned out</li><li>Bed linens washed</li><li>Fridge Cleaned out</li><li>Butterfly unit planned and printed</li><li>G2's Harry Potter Exercise planned </li><li>M's craft materials gathered</li><li>Get performance ticket check ready to mail</li><li>Pay Bills</li><li>Charge Camera</li><li>Clean out my car</li><li>Buy paint for dining room</li></ul><p>OK, so that should do it. Oh yeah, and Feed the Baby!! </p><p>I will change the color of each item as it is completed. I think green for GO will be a good choice.</p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-28479944193107550332008-10-04T07:11:00.005-07:002008-10-04T08:35:22.809-07:00Our week<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/SOeMBsaCoVI/AAAAAAAAAJM/D5an9DZk1t0/s1600-h/DSC_0523.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253321451079115090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/SOeMBsaCoVI/AAAAAAAAAJM/D5an9DZk1t0/s400/DSC_0523.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Well, I had tried to make entries for each day of the week, and you can see how unsuccessful that was. So I thought I would do a weekly recap instead. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>So on Monday...</div><br /><br /><ul><br /><br /><li>bosque hike to find tadpoles</li><br /><br /><li>science class at museum</li><br /><br /><li>jazz ensemble</li></ul><br /><br /><p>Tuesday...</p><br /><br /><ul><br /><br /><li>math homework for G1</li><br /><br /><li>Plant cell diagram G1</li><br /><br /><li>Spanish vocab work at G1</li><br /><br /><li>International Harry Potter cover activity G2</li><br /><br /><li>Make your own cover for HP book G2</li><br /><br /><li>Math G2</li><br /><br /><li>Frog LifeCycle mobil with M</li><br /><br /><li>Housework for Mom</li><br /><br /><li>Fencing</li><br /><br /><li>Jazz Ensemble</li><br /><br /><li>dinner with FIL and BIL</li></ul><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/SOeMY7N7-NI/AAAAAAAAAJU/zQtrkYBk4C4/s1600-h/DSC_0661.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253321850191870162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/SOeMY7N7-NI/AAAAAAAAAJU/zQtrkYBk4C4/s400/DSC_0661.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p>Wednesday:</p><br /><br /><ul><br /><br /><li>Lessons at home</li><br /><br /><li>Math class</li><br /><br /><li>Library for lessons for G2 and M</li><br /><br /><li>Using a Thesaurus to expand vocab and writing tools for G2</li><br /><br /><li>Math lessons 9-11 for G2</li><br /><br /><li>Phonics lessons 6-12 for M</li><br /><br /><li>Library time to check out books</li><br /><br /><li>Great Grandma's for family dinner</li></ul><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/SOeNB02WDHI/AAAAAAAAAJc/wT-NP45XPX0/s1600-h/DSC_0553.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/SOeNB02WDHI/AAAAAAAAAJc/wT-NP45XPX0/s400/DSC_0553.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253322552856939634" /></a><br /><p>Thursday:</p><br /><br /><ul><br /><br /><li>Health with G1 (Body in Numbers)</li><br /><br /><li>Reading for G2</li><br /><br /><li>Free-play for M</li><br /><br /><li>LEGOS</li><br /><br /><li>drumming lesson for G1 and G2</li><br /><br /><li>fencing</li></ul><br /><br /><p>Friday:</p><br /><br /><ul><br /><br /><li>Hiking with RGRS to monitor 45 trees we planted last spring</li><br /><br /><li>housework</li><br /><br /><li>cooking with Maggie (pot of beans)</li><br /><br /><li>rock climbing</li><br /><br /><li>fencing</li></ul><br /><br /><p>Then today we have...</p><br /><br /><ul><br /><br /><li>Balloon Fiesta Watching</li><br /><br /><li>Pre-historic Preschool for M</li><br /><br /><li>Naturalist Center Volunteering for G1 &amp; G2</li><br /><br /><li>Armory clinic for G1 and Dad</li><br /><br /><li>Greek Festival in the Afternoon</li><br /><br /><li>HOME!!!!</li></ul></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-85279305514535770832008-10-02T06:54:00.007-07:002008-10-02T07:43:38.513-07:00October Goals for our Homeschooling...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/SOTbnkiAMnI/AAAAAAAAAJE/sCeAhlfd8nc/s1600-h/DSC_0556.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252564538288517746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/SOTbnkiAMnI/AAAAAAAAAJE/sCeAhlfd8nc/s400/DSC_0556.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I LOVE making lists, setting goals and mapping out a plan to success. I can sit and work out every detail of how to be at point B by a certain date. It is similar to my love of school supplies; that fresh, hopeful beginning. Ahhh, it is wonderful how a clean slate can inspire us!</div><br /><div>Then there is the reality that if I spent half the time I use up with all my planning on DOING, I would really be a successful person. LOL Hey, at least I have half of the program down, maybe I will just continue to "fake it, till I make it."</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Well, since I am using this blog as a way to hold myself accountable, I think I will try to set some goals on here and track our progress. It is irrelevant if anyone actually reads this, it is just the point of putting it out there and using the posts as a measure and deadline for our lessons and other family goals.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So, here goes...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>October 2008 goals per child...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>G1: </div><br /><ul><br /><li>Math 7/6 he is almost finished with it, but we need to knock out a few more lessons to really be able to close the book on it.</li><br /><li>Ancient Egypt the next civilization in the Oak Meadow 6 book</li><br /><li>Continue to make A's in math class, doing homework and completing quizzes (without me)</li><br /><li>Biology unit from Real Science 4 Kids along with lesson expansions (drawings and detail exercises)</li><br /><li>Continue Jazz Ensemble</li><br /><li>Continue Drumming</li><br /><li>Continue Fencing</li><br /><li>Flag bearer and Prayer leader at toastmasters meeting</li><br /><li>Continue Science class</li><br /><li>Volunteer at WRI and Nat Center</li><br /><li>RGRS projects and hiking</li><br /><li>Read a chapter a day of Redwall</li><br /><li>Four units of health program</li><br /><li>Complete Engineering Team Challenge</li><br /><li>Attend theatrical performance</li></ul><br /><p>G2:</p><br /><ul><br /><li>Harry Potter Guide book *finish lessons for Sorcerer's Stone</li><br /><li>Read books for book club and participate in the games</li><br /><li>Finish Chamber of Secrets </li><br /><li>Dig into math, we are restarting Math 3 after being half way through it. We have a "hole" in our ability with this and the only way I can find it is by starting over again and taking it much slower. I will also research different math programs that might better suit him.</li><br /><li>continue rock climbing</li><br /><li>continue jazz ensemble</li><br /><li>continue drumming lessons</li><br /><li>Complete Biology from Real Science 4 Kids along with expansions</li><br /><li>Continue working on SOTW History book, complete Egypt and next civilization in program.</li><br /><li>Begin participating in toastmasters meeting</li><br /><li>RGRS projects</li><br /><li>Volunteering at Nat Center</li><br /><li>Bunny responsibilities (ours and his bunny sitting responsibilities)</li><br /><li>Spanish vocabulary, family, numbers, people...</li><br /><li>Science class</li><li>Attend theatrical performance</li></ul><br /><p>M:</p><br /><ul><br /><li>Up to lesson 50 in Phonics program</li><br /><li>complete life cycle studies and projects</li><br /><li>begin unit on Autumn and the seasons</li><br /><li>weekly painting project</li><br /><li>RGRS projects</li><br /><li>science class</li><br /><li>Prehistoric Preschool</li><br /><li>Work on cooking skills (math)</li><br /><li>Help with all animal care</li><br /><li>Early math activities</li><br /><li>Geography practice with continents and animals who live there</li><br /><li>explore some music instruments, trying to find one that interests her</li><br /><li>attend a theatrical performance</li><br /><li>learn to sew or knit (I will see what interests her more)</li></ul><br /><p>Im reading her list and I realize it sounds so sexist. But it is important to note that both the boys did the cooking and sewing when they were younger too. :-)</p><br /><p>O:<br /></p><ul><li>basically continue to be a cutie pie and being drug around town to all his siblings stuff!</li></ul><br /><p>Mom:</p><br /><ul><br /><li>Yes, I have to have goals for me too, things I need to do that relate to our homeschooling success...</li><br /><li>Teach butterfly unit to our science group</li><br /><li>Lead and coordinate activities for RGRS</li><br /><li>Organize our paint stuff for M</li><br /><li>Feed the baby</li><br /><li>Cut the boys hair</li><br /><li>Make dentist appointments for me and the kids</li><br /><li>Make Dr.s appointment for O and Me</li><br /><li>Kids and I need to clear the summer garden beds</li><br /><li>G1 and I need to repair the greenhouse door and plant some seeds for experiment</li><br /><li>Clean out our homeschool supply closet</li><br /><li>Clean out my art studio stuff</li><br /><li>develop the next phase of G2's Harry Potter Curriculum</li><br /><li>Lead the Engineering Team unit for October</li><br /><li>develop M's next science lessons from Littlest Scientist books my mom sent</li><br /><li>Make Halloween costumes</li><br /><li>Decorate for Halloween</li><br /><li>plan Thanksgiving and activites leading up to it</li><br /><li>Make holiday lists for each child and figure out a budget</li><br /><li>Help in launching Homeschool Art classes with the old Art Museum teacher</li><br /><li>Develop writing club for young homeschoolers with a friend</li><br /><li>maintain the house</li><br /><li>change over clothing from summer to winter</li></ul><br /><p>OK, that seems like most things off the top of my head. Wish me luck. I will post a weekly update to keep myself on track. </p><p> </p><p>(Yes my list is muddy with Mom stuff and lesson stuff, but that is just the reality of my life) </p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-69277152379704943452008-09-29T05:47:00.005-07:002008-10-01T18:45:49.290-07:00Monday = Science!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/SOQntDcayCI/AAAAAAAAAI8/195UphApme4/s1600-h/DSC_0533.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252366720392939554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/SOQntDcayCI/AAAAAAAAAI8/195UphApme4/s400/DSC_0533.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Monday seems to be a great science day for us. We get together with a science coop in the mornings, not every week, but not on a regular basis. For the past three weeks I was teaching an Archaeology unit for the coop and Im happy to be able to just be home on this Monday morning. I love teaching units, but it also is a huge drain on our regular lesson schedule. I end up using a lot of the time I could be putting into my own kids lessons in order to put together a unit of study for the group. Unfortunately it is usually the teacher's kids who gain the least out of a unit. So, while Im happy to contribute and wouldnt have it any other way, I do recognize that it is something you have to keep in balance and not allow my desire to support the coop to take away from my own family and our needs.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Anyway, today we will be getting together with a friend in the bosque to study the life cycle of frogs. We have done this several times before, but it is so much fun, and the kids love getting out in nature and exploring. M will enjoy it, she hasnt reallystudied this before and so it will be a first for her. The boys will have fun finding where the tadpoles are and figuring out which stage they are each at. M will have fun drawing what she sees and seeing her friends. O will hopefully just enjoy the trees, he is a tree fanatic and just loves to sit and watch them blow in the breeze.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>We will picnic in the bosque before heading over to our science class at a local museum. the boy's classes are today. the love all the fast paces experiments and M and O enjoy exploring the rest of the museum with me and their friends.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>My goals for today are...</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>clean up the house this morning (dishes, study, laundry)</div><br /><br /><br /><div>get everyone a decent breakfast</div><br /><br /><br /><div>pack a lunch</div><br /><br /><br /><div>have the kids review their biology chapter </div><br /><br /><br /><div>read the Tadpoles and Frogs book to M</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Remember my camera</div><br /><br /><br /><div>head out to the bosque (frogs, lunch)</div><br /><br /><br /><div>head to Science class</div><br /><br /><br /><div>home for some math</div><br /><br /><br /><div>G2 work on his Harry Potter guide</div><br /><br /><br /><div>M do some art work about the frogs and the bosque</div><br /><br /><br /><div>O take a nap (haha)</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Head out to Jazz for G1</div><br /><br /><br /><div>home/dinner by 6:30pm (chicken potpie)</div><br /><br /><br /><div>hang out and exhale!</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Here goes.....</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#999900;">Well, we did quite well today. I did complete my list of things I wanted to get through and the kids had a wonderful time in the bosque. We were not able to find any tadpoles, the season is off, but the kids still were able to learn a lot about the lesson. The older boys obviously already know a lot about tadpoles and the life cycle of a frog. We used to have a small pond in our yard in VA and we always had a TON of little tadpoles and frogs in it. They loved exploring them and watching them develop throughout the summer. Anyway, M and her friend did a great job with their life cycle books and seemed to really understand the order of how things happen. So, I count that as a great outing and a fun way to get out in the bosque for a nice morning. </span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#999900;"></span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="color:#999900;">The great suprise for the day was Dad meeting us in the bosque for our picnic. It was nice seing him in the middle of the day and getting to share some of the fun with him. He works so much it is hard to get to see him like that. I guess it is a good thing that he likes peanut butter and jelly roll-ups! :-)</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#999900;"></span></div><br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-67068162248967645472008-09-25T18:28:00.003-07:002008-09-25T18:29:45.680-07:00Accountability!That is what I miss about writing in this blog. It is a diary of sorts and it helps me to be able to review our week and to look forward to upcoming opportunities. So, I am going to try to make time for this again. I know I can do it, it is just about it becoming a habit again.<br /><br />So, it is good to be back, and Im looking forward to the motivation and accountability that comes from keeping this up.<br /><br />Thanks!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-81039254232168393262008-01-18T08:10:00.000-08:002008-01-18T08:36:01.300-08:00Weekend Getaway<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/R5DVD6b5FVI/AAAAAAAAAI0/qyOmfSpaPDA/s1600-h/DSC_0676.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156855836541785426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/R5DVD6b5FVI/AAAAAAAAAI0/qyOmfSpaPDA/s400/DSC_0676.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We decided to load up the family and head down to Tucson to share our nie little guy with his Great-Grandma, Tata-Ish and his uncle. Of course Nana too, but she had been able to see him when he was born so it was more of a reunion for her. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The drive down was nice, and a bit of an adventure with a five week old infant. He did really well, only adding about an hour and a half to our drive time to stop for feedings and snuggles. We are really lucky to have GM and all his help. He is really great about keeping baby O entertained or just holding his little hands to let him know that he has someone right next to him. I will admit there were a couple moments that I thought we were nuts and that this was a mistake, but in the end it was terrific. On the way home he was happy and all things went smoothly. It was nice.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Tucson is lovely this time of year, as it is all year round. My mother has a beautiful home with a really relaxing and lovely yard. It is always nice to visit, even if just for a couple quick days.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The kids all had a wonderful time, playing with their uncle (he is only two years older than GM). ME explored the yard and collected some new sticks, pinecones and leaves for her neverending collection of cool stuff she finds on her journies. Baby O enjoyed the attention and all the warm arms to hold and love him. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-73026507471282058562007-12-30T18:47:00.000-08:002007-12-30T18:49:23.652-08:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/R3hYoqb5FUI/AAAAAAAAAIo/PlByRoAXR3o/s1600-h/sepiaC.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149963629507450178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/R3hYoqb5FUI/AAAAAAAAAIo/PlByRoAXR3o/s400/sepiaC.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-82863358337664585632007-12-30T18:06:00.000-08:002007-12-30T18:47:12.644-08:00Goals for 2008Last year GM and I sat down and set some goals for him and where we wanted to be with out lessons and fencing before the end of 2007. We also discussed what we would like to adopt or add into our scope of activities and such. Not only did he achieve these goals, but he surpassed them. He really didn't seem to have much faith in his ability to achieve the goals we set, and so it took some encouragement at first. I would show him when he was on target, or when he was moving ahead of the goal numbers. This really seemed to encourage him and he began to feel that he not only could achieve these goals, but that he could surpass them. I could see the pride and confidence grow in him and I have decided to do the same thing this year, but also add in GD to the mix, as well as the rest of the family.<br /><br />I chose to set goals with the kids regarding their lessons, extra-curricular activities and their chores. Manny and I will be setting goals for our health, the kids health care, our family finances, our house projects, and for our family quality time. On the side I will be setting the goals along with my partner for Rio Grande Roots &amp; Shoots, an important part of our lives and something that requires a great deal of planning.<br /><br />Measuring our success...<br /><br />Last year, with GM, I sat down and figured out where we would need to be at various times in the year in order to meet our final goal. The year as a whole is too overwhelming, but achieving small bites that range for about 6 weeks at a time, can be great. You get to see and celebrate your success several times throughout the year, and if you fall behind, you can see it happening before you are so far behind that your goal becomes impossible to achieve. So for each of our goals I will sit down and figure out our necessary progress in monthly intervals.<br /><br />So, onto the goals...<br /><br />House Projects<br /><br />Landscape the front yard<br />Landscape the backyard<br />Furnish the porch<br />Finish the garage<br />Window in the dining room<br />Interior Drywall<br />New front door<br />New sliding door<br />Finish Wood floors<br />Stain wood exterior<br />Stain wood interior<br />Texture the ceiling<br />Lighting for the upper shelves of lounge<br />woodwork in LR entry<br />Enclose the HWH in new bathroom<br />Fix new bath faucet<br />Paint the study<br />Set up scrapbook closet in Guest room<br />Lighting in the foyer<br />glass in buffet door<br />handles on built-in doors in lounge<br />Organize storage<br /><br />Lessons<br /><br />GM<br />1. Complete 7th grade math<br />2. Complete 12 Chapter books (minimum 150 pages)<br />3. Early American History<br />4. Complete 7th grade L Arts<br />5. Science @Explora<br /><br />GD<br />1. Finish 3rd grade math<br />2. Complete 12 Chapter Books<br />3. Native American History<br />4. Complete 4th grade L Arts<br />5. Science @Explora<br /><br />ME<br />1. alphabet<br />2. simple words<br />3. Saxon Math K<br />4. Saxon Phonics K<br />5. Science @Explora<br /><br />Art @ Museum<br />Science coop<br />RGRS<br />Jazz Ensemble<br />Instrument practice<br />Fencing/Gymnastics<br /><br />Health<br /><br />K<br />1. Lose 30lbs<br />2. Work on cardio<br />3. mammogram<br />4. Dentist<br />5. Genetic testing for hydrocephalus<br /><br />M<br />1. Lose weight<br />2. Work on Cardio<br />3. Have a physical<br />4. Genetic testing for hydrocephalus<br /><br />GM<br />1. tweak his supplements<br />2. review GF/CF diet<br />3. dentist (continue)<br /><br />GD<br />1. Dentist<br /><br />ME<br />1. Dentist<br /><br />Baby O<br />1. Keep up on head checks<br /><br />RGRS Goals<br /><br />Complete 25 service projects<br />Coordinate First Annual Conference<br />Get T-Shirts Made<br />Meet with Dr. Goodall<br />Continue Prairie Dog sponsorship<br />Continue Bosque adopted space work<br />Complete at least two outreach projects<br />Develop ongoing fundraising project<br />Support and work with Youth Leadership group<br />Develop committees for future growth<br /><br /><br />The kids are still thinking about their other goals, so I will add them in when we have had a chance to sit down and iron them out.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-34046063479889924792007-12-29T14:05:00.000-08:002007-12-29T14:07:38.970-08:00O So Sweet!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/R3bE66b5FRI/AAAAAAAAAIU/PT1MGq5CKjE/s1600-h/sepia3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149519740342441234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/R3bE66b5FRI/AAAAAAAAAIU/PT1MGq5CKjE/s400/sepia3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-19345952067319575912007-12-19T10:37:00.000-08:002007-12-19T10:50:04.538-08:00Great book for all parents<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/R2lnwpwP4VI/AAAAAAAAAIM/xgB-GcwCDE4/s1600-h/Smart+Medicine.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145758134787105106" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/R2lnwpwP4VI/AAAAAAAAAIM/xgB-GcwCDE4/s320/Smart+Medicine.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>A good friend of mine lent me a wonderful book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Medicine-Healthier-Child-Janet/dp/1583331395/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1198090088&amp;sr=8-1">Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child</a>. I love this book so much. I found a copy of it at Wild Oats and I really enjoy thumbing through it. I believe it helped us through a recent bout with a colic-like gas issue. If you have had a baby with gas issues, you know how desperate you are to help them through it.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The great thing about this book is that it shares with you the medical advise from many perspectives including Conventional Madicine, Nutritional Supplements, Herbs, Homeopathy, Acupressure, Diet and even gives tips for prevention and general info. You are able to read through the various styles and you choose whatyou feel works best for your family. It is just really helpful!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-16269271327030014272007-12-14T16:22:00.000-08:002007-12-14T16:26:58.463-08:00Welcome Baby O!!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/R2MfN5wP4UI/AAAAAAAAAIE/IfqcR4Tgva0/s1600-h/Oscar+day+2007155_edited.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143989523089187138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/R2MfN5wP4UI/AAAAAAAAAIE/IfqcR4Tgva0/s320/Oscar+day+2007155_edited.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Well I havent written in a really long time. Basically ever since I found out that we were being blessed with another little one. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Welcome our new son, "O". He is amazing, healthy, and such a great eater! We are all enjoying our little guy and looking forward to a peaceful holiday season.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-69323734225904469742007-04-01T08:17:00.000-07:002007-04-01T08:36:40.434-07:00Santa Fe Fencing Tournament Y8-Y10<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/Rg_QWMUi6hI/AAAAAAAAAH8/f7M_kIuW6CY/s1600-h/DSC_0084_edited.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5048482786988714514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UAdqKDxfYIs/Rg_QWMUi6hI/AAAAAAAAAH8/f7M_kIuW6CY/s320/DSC_0084_edited.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>GM had his first Foil tournament in Santa Fe a couple weekends ago. He was such a great sport and had a lot of fun. He even made some new friends. The kids who were from the NMFC were all really welcoming and nice to the DCF kids. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We are so happy with GM's fencing and all that it has brought to his life. I was really hesitant to let him start fencing, I pictured kids hitting one another randomly and coming home with bruises and hurt feelings. It is SO not like that! The level of control and honor that comes with the sport has really made this one of the best things we have ever chosen to do with him. He focusses, he shakes the coaches hand and says thank you after each class, he remembers to salute the opponent and the referee. It is such a sport of gentlemen, and ladies. :-)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So for this first Foil tournament, lets just say I was NERVOUS! I wanted it to go well for him, which doesnt mean winning, he could be in last place and still be thrilled, but just not humiliated. I was nervous for no reason at all. It went so well, and he really enjoyed the entire process. He even was able to win a few bouts, including one against a team mate who is really really good. So he was on top of the world. He ended up in fifth place, and was just tickled about the outcome!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We will be doing more tournaments in the future!! It was such a positive experience for all of us.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-45365940812518788172007-03-27T06:39:00.000-08:002007-03-27T06:40:22.077-08:00Rio Grande Roots & Shoots site is up!!I finally got our site up and running! I still need to edit it, so ignore the poor grammar and spelling issues! LOL<br /><br />www.riogranderootsandshoots.org<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-88364693437711804992007-03-16T06:00:00.000-08:002007-03-16T06:11:36.823-08:00Farmer Monte Makes a good point!The other morning I was having my coffee, checking my email and a morning talk/news show was on my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">TV</span>. The lady announced that organic may be out, and local may be in. I about choked on my coffee and a big sense of "oh crap" came across my heart! I watched as much of it as I could, hoping it was one of those teaser announcements where they later say, no, actually you want local organic foods, not just local. I was saddened when no, that was not the result. In fact all they <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">focused</span> on was the pollution issues of transporting produce and foods. Okay, I am not for pollution or fuel consumption, but I am definitely not for feeding my kids produce and meats that are coated with pesticides or for our local farmers to be encouraged to not worry about what they are using in their farming practices. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">I'm</span> all for the local farmer, if I could buy everything local, I would, and really do strive for that goal, but I cant say I would choose conventional over organic just because it was local.<br /><br />So here is what Farmer Monte had to say on the matter, he is far more eloquent and since he is a local organic farmer, he is right in the middle of this new debate....<br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>The Local vs Organic Debate</strong> </div><div align="left"><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ok</span>, so when you are a produce nerd like I am, you get a little excited when food becomes a national issue. So I got giddy as a school girl last week when I saw that the cover of Time magazine was a huge picture of an apple.<br />But then I was quickly let down when the label on the apple said “Forget Organic, Eat Local.” Shoot, I thought to myself, now we have got someone (or a group) trying to separate two things that are not mutually exclusive. So let’s break down the debate.First off, I think the article is pretty much junk. The intensive research that the author did to reach his conclusion that we should all forget Organic, was to eat one Organic apple and one local conventional. He thought the Organic one was a bit mealy, and the local one crisp. So, he then brings the jury back and proclaims local should reign. Very scientific work from Time mag. Impressive.And I am not saying that local should not reign, but I want it to be Organic local. And with that, I would/will take regional Organic over local conventional any day of the week. I know that we might have some disagreement among the members on that, which is fine, but as a business owner, I cannot waffle on our bottom line. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">LPO</span>’s stance needs to be concrete and consistent; so, therefore, we choose AZ or CA Organic over conventional produce from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Belen</span>.But I would love to get members feedback, so we are going to put a survey up on the web site this week for members to vote on and then I will let you know the tally next week. And the question is this, assuming quality and price to be the same, would you choose CA Organic over NM conventional? An interesting debate for sure.And since I have another half page to fill I will walk through my logic on why I would take the regional Organic. It can be summed up in two words, market forces. Economics prove that all markets and suppliers in a market are capable of changing. They can mutate and survive.Meaning that the factory who once made Beta Max video tapes, changed over to produce VHS and for the most part it was no big deal.Well I see the produce world in much the same way. We need to create incentives for growers to change. So that if a conventional producer reads enough articles about the big increases in Organic sales, they might be enticed into transitioning into cleaner farming. And when that happens on a large enough scale, then we will get a new and improved food industry.What happens if we dilute the demand for Organics by continuing to support a farming practice that we do not agree with just to say we buy local? What have we really accomplished?Do we really feel better about the introduction of chemicals into our environment as long as they are used locally? It seems to me that we want any conventional agriculture far away from our communities. Not in it. I am philosophically opposed to chemicals on food. Local or not. Finally, my last beef with the article is that it does not take into consideration the huge strides in farms that are both local and certified Organic. It does not have to be one or the other...we can (and do) have both happening.<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">LPO</span> is a microcosm of the small Organic farms that are popping up all over the U.S. Due to the relative low start up costs (elbow grease is still free) of a 2 to 5 acre market farm, we are seeing a huge increase in certified Organic production. A 40% increase in acreage in 3 years.In addition to the number of new farms and their diverse make up (many women and minority owned), farmed acreage by existing farms are going up, meaning that the marketplace is increasing for farms who do not sell to huge retail stores. All in all, a bright Spring for the Organic movement and all its growers….and consumers.<br />Have a great week, Farmer Monte</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-9775728582693618282007-03-05T05:51:00.000-08:002007-03-05T06:10:16.694-08:00Dairy Free and loving it!Well, I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">wouldn't</span> really say that GM is "loving it" but he is dealing with it quite well. I really hesitated about taking him off of the dairy, but WOW am I glad we did. He is certainly happier, but the huge thing that has improved is his ability to EAT!!!<br /><br />GM used to have a diet that basically consisted of a variety of combinations of bread and cheese, also some chicken nuggets etc. It was a SHORT list. Once we removed the gluten he did expand a bit, but mostly just in that he would now eat grilled chicken instead of breaded. He did pick up a lot of focus and was far less frustrated. So that was a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">great</span> difference with the gluten. However with the gluten it did take months (about 6) before we really were able to see this change.<br /><br />We removed the dairy (casein) about three weeks ago. He misses his dairy, but, he is now eating other foods. He ate and sort of enjoyed pasta (gluten free of course) he has NEVER been able to get pasta into his mouth because of the sensory issues and its texture. He is willing to eat kosher hot dogs, not the best food out there, but it is an expansion, he is eating corn and loving tacos!!! He even ate two scrambled eggs for breakfast yesterday. Something that a month ago would have had him gagging at the thought of it. Last night when he went to the coop and got his free piece of fruit, which he usually gives to his little sister, he ATE IT! He did have Dad take the skin off of it, but he said it was delicious! I am just blown away by how quickly his range and ability has expanded.<br /><br />So what does this mean? Honestly, I think this is huge, and not just for nutritional reasons. Basically GM has struggled with sensory issues all his life and through the years he has really gathered quite the tool box of coping mechanisms. However his oral sensitivity has always been really a challenge and it has only seen moderate improvement in the past 7 years. We did get some huge improvements when he was about 15 month - 2 years old. This was when he <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">wouldn't</span> eat anything and so the expansion into the dry <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">crunchies</span> and eventually all the dairy and bread items was viewed as an improvement. However it leveled off and there we sat. My hope is that with this visible improvement to his oral sensitivities, he must be having some relief from the sensitivities that he has been coping with for all these years, bringing him some relief from the tough job of being "normal". Hopefully this will ease the struggle to filter through all the reactions his mind and body want to have to all these sensory issues and he can either rest a bit, or use that energy to bring strength to other areas or interests. I think his load is lighter.<br /><br />Overall this has made one of the largest differences that we have seen in years!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-12222457029496326482007-02-19T06:43:00.000-08:002007-02-19T06:59:14.119-08:00Truck ShoppingWell, my husband has wanted a truck since I met him fifteen years ago. He drove a really horrible old Toyota Supra for years that smoked and was so bad that I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">couldn't</span> even ride in it when pregnant because it leaked so much exhaust into the cabin area that it made me sick and concerned for the baby. Everyone who actually worked for him drove FAR better vehicles and still, he <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">didn't</span> complain (too much). We bought a used Volvo station wagon and I drove that with the baby while he drove the toxic mobile each day commuting in the DC metro area. Then we finally got a larger vehicle for him to use for work, but the gas was so expensive for it that he gave it to me with the boys and one more on the way, and he drove the old <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Volvo</span>, which by this time had a lot of issues of its own. But still, he did it because it made sense and it was what we could afford. That one finally died and we ended up buying another one that was less than the repair cost of the first one, so he was set again (sort of). <br /><br />Finally we moved and when we got here he treated himself to a 1976 Ford F150, all green, and dubbed "the Hulk". While fun, this puppy gets maybe 10 miles to the gallon and has left him stranded here and there about town. The other <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Volvo</span> died too, so now here we are ... truck shopping!<br /><br />My only issue with this is the fuel economy. It's not the cost, its the environment that concerns me, so we have agreed to go with a flex-fuel or bio-diesel vehicle that will at least be less of an environmental nightmare! <br /><br />I hope he loves this thing, he will be driving it for a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">LOOOOONG</span> time!!! :-)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-82121495132765262282007-02-16T18:38:00.000-08:002007-02-16T18:46:00.320-08:00Homekeeping quizAprons – Y/N?<br />No, I dont usually use one<br /><br />Baking – Favorite thing to bake:<br />Bread<br /><br />Clothesline – Y/N?<br />Not right now, but will in the spring<br /><br />Donuts – Have you ever made them?<br />no<br /><br />Every day – One homemaking thing you do every day:<br />Dishes<br /><br />Freezer – Do you have a separate deep freeze?<br />Yes, a standup in the pantry<br /><br />Garbage Disposal – Y/N?<br />Yes<br /><br />Handbook – What is your favorite homemaking resource?<br />Usually the internet, other people's blogs<br /><br />Ironing – Love it or hate it?<br />I love it periodically<br /><br />Junk drawer – Y/N? Where is it?<br />Oh yes. In the kitchen by the back door.<br /><br />Kitchen: Design & Decorating?<br />Eclectic and fun<br /><br />Love: What is your favorite part of homemaking?<br />vaccuuming<br /><br />Mop - Y/N?<br />No, Im a hands and knees gal<br /><br />Nylons - Wash by hand or in the washing machine?<br />Does anyone even have these anymore??<br /><br />Oven - Do you use the window, or open the door to check?<br />I used the window until the bulb blew out, now I use the door<br /><br />Pizza - What do you put on yours?<br />Pepperoni, tomatoe and onion<br /><br />Quiet - What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment?<br />Read a magazine or play around on the computer<br /><br />Recipe card box - Y/N?<br />Yes . . . not that I actually use it.<br /><br />Style of house -<br />Ranch style southwestern<br /><br />Tablecloths and napkins - Y/N?<br />Yes, on holidays and special occasions<br /><br />Under the kitchen sink - Organized or toxic wasteland?<br />We dont use chemicals, but it isnt organized either<br /><br />Vacuum - How many times per week?<br />Five if Im having a good week, 0 if Im not<br /><br />Wash - How many loads of laundry do you do a week?<br />Between 7 and 10<br /><br />Do you keep a daily list of things to do and cross them off?<br />Yes I do, my friend Kathy and I email our lists and updates to one another each day<br /><br />Yard - Who does what?<br />I do the gardening, Dad does the heavy labor, GM tends the chickens<br /><br />Zzz’s - What is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed?<br />Hmm, I dont have one specific, but perhaps I will start one. Oh, I do start the dishwasher!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-20056007671297978352007-02-16T07:55:00.001-08:002007-02-16T08:09:56.936-08:00We "heart" fencing!On a really great note, GM is really doing great with his fencing. Even the coach told us last night that he is doing really good and improving steadily. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Im</span> so happy that he has found something that really motivates and suits him so well. He fits in fairly well with the other guys and has a good time with them at practice. He is definitely the youngest in his group, but that is good for him as having younger kids with more energy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">doesnt</span> really set him up for success. He is too distracted by the silliness, and cant focus on the lesson or the coach. <br /><br />He got several really good touches last night on one kid and seemed to hold his own with another who is really quite good. He certainly left feeling really good about himself and how he did, and THAT is the goal! So <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Woohoo</span>!!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-17609472125504276152007-02-16T07:55:00.000-08:002007-02-16T08:06:11.841-08:00Update on our choices with GMOkay I feel I have had enough time to absorb and process this new advice and have decided that we owe it to him to give it a try. Simply because it may make a great improvement in his daily life and we cant keep that potential from him. I will be really keeping an eye on things and watching for that point when the interventions have become more of a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">hindrance</span> than the diagnosis is. I know it exists, but we <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">havent</span> come across it yet.<br /><br />So we have been Casein Free for over a week and he <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">didnt</span> starve to death, so that is a good thing. I made him some delicious brownies which really boosted his idea of how this was going to be, and he likes the Rice Dream Vanilla and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">hasnt</span> complained once about it not being "real milk". We did find a cheese substitute which we have managed to melt quite nicely for a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">quesadilla</span> or pizza and that has helped tremendously. The first pizza was a huge flop, but the second seemed to go over fairly well. He <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">hasnt</span> had pizza in the way others eat it in so long that I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">dont</span> think the comparison is still there and that helped out a lot. Although he did really love the Rice Crust frozen pizzas from the coop. :-(<br /><br />We will do this for a while, and begin the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Diflucan</span> for yeast either next week or the one after that. We might visit with family next week and I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">dont</span> want him to be an emotional mess from yeast die-off, so it depends on what we do with those plans. His stool has been much better lately, so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Im</span> hoping that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">gfcf</span>, enzymes and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">probiotics</span> are helping with the yeast already and we can have the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Diflucan</span> come in and kick it's butt on out of there! :-)<br /><br />Once we have done these two things, then I will start him on the fish oil and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Curcumin</span>, along with slowly starting his other supplements, followed after by the Methyl B-12 injections. I want to be sure this is the right route first and feel I need more time to research and process the info I receive.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-3459598312871219762007-02-11T08:22:00.000-08:002007-02-10T06:40:10.565-08:00DAN! Dr. VisitIn my search for a Dentist who works with children who have special needs and particular issues with their oral senses, I stumbled upon a DAN Dr. in Santa Fe. I feel that I have done searches for this in the past years, but never found anyone; but there he was. So I called expecting to get the usual five-eight month out appointment, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">BAM</span>, they had an opening the very next day. So we hopped right on it!<br /><br />I typed up my usual information sheet which outlines our therapeutic history and our strides. Also including his current diet and our current concerns. Thank goodness because when I got there they were a bit upset that I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">didn't</span> have the 18 page history packet that they usually send out to new patients. Not my fault obviously because the appointment was from the day before, but none the less I am bothered that the DR <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">didn't</span> have it to review. Although my little two page sheet was of some help (minimally).<br /><br />So we go, and he is the usual eccentric, way too smart, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">egotistical</span>, socially challenged specialists we are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">accustomed</span> to seeing. All that aside, they are usually the best and they know their stuff! So we sit down and he begins to ask why we <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">aren't</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Casein</span> Free yet, I knew this would be the hit I took walking in the door, and I knew it was going to be the beginning of us taking that next step, so that was all good. Then he began explaining to me that he wanted GM to begin the Methyl B12 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">regimen</span>. This is a shot every three days of 3cc of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Methylcobalamin</span>. It is administered by me and the concept is that it will help us to make another leap in function. Read <a href="http://www.autismweb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=514">here</a> for more info.<br /><br />He then proceeds to ramble off a list of books for me to read, and research for me to do and gives me a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">prescription</span> for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Diflucan</span> for yeast and writes a few supplements down for us to begin at home.<br /><br />So, that was that.<br /><br />He did say something that resonated with me, because it is true, and it gave me some hope that this man is indeed experienced with what he is talking about and that he could become a good resource for us. He said that "you are the expert, I am just the facilitator for what you want to do for your child, you tell me what the next step is". I agree with this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">wholeheartedly</span> and have always known that while we see this specialist and that therapist, in the end, it is the parents who are driving the bus, making the choices and navigating their child through this forest of options and theories. So having him recognize that, gave me hope that this guy might be okay <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">after all</span>. But the jury is still out. I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">haven't</span> decided yet.<br /><br />Driving home, my mind is just reeling. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">I'm</span> asking myself <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">questions</span> like, how good is "good enough"? How far do we go before we can say, we did all we could? At what point is the balance between intervention and obsession? Can continuing to intervene actually make enough difference to make the realities of the intervention (shots every three days) worth it? At what point do the interventions actually become more life inhibiting than the diagnosis? If we <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">didn't</span> do the shots, is there this whole different level to GM that we would be keeping him from reaching? Could this be the bump that puts us into meaningful friendships, love and marriage? Is it possible that we have become so accustomed to who he is that we can no longer see the potential that could exist for him? Or as he said it, "which parts of me are the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Asperger's</span>, and which parts are just me"? It used to be easy to see, it used to be easy to point out what areas concern us, but now it is much harder, like needing a microscope to see clearly instead of it being obvious to the naked eye. <br /><br />So now I am trying to determine our motivation, and our choices as to how far we choose to go. I know that until I make this determination I cant make a decision regarding the choices before us (methyl B12, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">hyperbaric</span> O2 treatments). It is a process, an ongoing, often life-changing process.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-25099743593075829402007-02-06T07:22:00.000-08:002007-02-06T07:34:07.068-08:00Menu PlanningOkay, this is WAY outside my box!!! But I wanted to try to see how long we could go without grocery shopping and on how little we could live (grocery wise). I really <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">didn't</span> do any grocery shopping in January, with the exception of milk and bread. I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">wanted</span> us to eat up everything in our pantry (for the most part) and our freezer. We were able to go all of January this way! So now I have a clean freezer and a clean pantry. I made a list of what food I wanted to buy based on my Nourishing Traditions book and our regular family favorites and I went to Costco. The Albuquerque Costco has a surprising amount of Organic food, much more than my old store in VA (although maybe they do now). So I bought a lot of our food in bulk at Costco, and the rest at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Walmart</span> (UGH) but I had a gift card to use up and only bought their organic stuff so hopefully I did my little part to promote organic purchases from the Titan store. It was hard for me though!!!! Anything else I can get at the coop.<br /><br />So I was able to get all our shopping done for the entire month of February and sat down and did the menu planning for the month. I feel like a cafeteria lady... today's lunch will be pasta with cheese and apple slices..... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">LOL</span> But hey, until we can get into the habit, it will have to work.<br /><br />I want to be more frugal with our monthly spending, especially in the area of groceries. I watched a show "Kids By the Dozen" and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Jeub</span> family feeds a family of 13 with a household income of less than $40,000.00 per year. They live off less than that. Now they do live in CO and I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">don't</span> know about the cost of living scenario, but we <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">don't</span> live far from them, so hey, surely we can do this with our tiny family of five!!!<br /><br />I like the menu planning too because it takes the "what's for dinner tonight" question out of my head. I can actually just know that tonight is salmon with rice and veggies, and somehow it takes the dread out of the chore for me. I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">don't</span> have to think, I just have to do! I like that. It seems that it is the thinking part that gets me tied up in dread and procrastination. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">I'm</span> learning........<br /><br />Anyway, I love this so far this month, and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">I'm</span> excited to see if we can make it. I just have to keep ME out of the cheese and I need to bake about two loaves of bread per week to meet our needs. <br /><br />Wish us luck!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20951976.post-16124856459205548552007-02-01T14:51:00.000-08:002007-02-01T20:04:01.279-08:00The Family ClosetOkay, I have had an ongoing battle with laundry. Yes, that somewhat benign thing that everyone else on the planet does without much thought or worry, has been known to kick my butt on a regular basis. It is sad, but true. BUT NO MORE!!! I have a secret weapon, I have knowledge handed down to me by other, more experienced mothers who have fought the laundry dragon and come away victorious!!!!<br /><br />First, what was my issue, where was this sort of assembly-line scenario falling apart. First you gather, then wash, then dry, then put away. Isn't that how it goes? Well i had a few extra steps in there... I had gather (I'm good at that one) and wash, then I have sit and start to get that weird smell, then wash again, then dry, then fluff because we forgot it in there and everything is all wrinkled, then put in big pile on chair in bedroom, let rest.... dress from this pile until you cant remember if parts are clean or dirty, and then wash all the pile again. This brings us back to gather, the part I'm good at!!!<br /><br />Okay, its ugly, but there it is, my not so streamlined version of a laundry assembly line. So, where is the back up? It comes from two places, first if my husband gets involved it can throw me into a terrible backspin that has been known to cause years of laundry hell. I kid you not! There was the removal of wet clothing to dry one shirt incident of 2003 that left us behind and continually screwed for over a year! So there is that....<br /><br />Then there is the whole folding, hanging, putting away thing. I hate it! I feel so defeated by it and I basically avoid it like it is some sort of terrible manual labor that involves pick axes and a lot of sweat. But why? Oh yeah, because I will fold them and put them away and then in a little one's attempt to find that perfect shirt they will end up all over the floor, where they are then napped on by the dog! Frustrating? YES!!!!<br /><br />So if I can get that end of things situated, I could then dry fast, and therefore wash faster (without the weird smell) and then we are back to gathering (the part I'm good at)!!!!<br /><br />Well, a wise mother of sixteen posted on her site about the family closet (insert sound of angels singing here). Yep! One closet for the entire family. Not only one closet, but NO DRESSERS! Freedom! (again with the angels). So here is what we do and why...<br /><br />Once closet for five people<br /><ul><li>the clothes range from ME to GD to GM to myself and then my husband</li><li>Below the clothes on the floor are two bins, one for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">kiddy</span> socks, one for adult socks</li><li>everything is hung on hangers, including t-shirts. This keeps us from keeping clothes we don't wear because they aren't hidden in a drawer, it also makes it so the kids can see exactly which one they want and we don't end up with clothes on the floor.</li><li>the only clothes not on hangers are underclothes and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">pjs</span>. These are in my closet in drawers below the hanging clothes. </li></ul><p>This is why it is great...</p><ul><li>All the laundry in one room means it is easy to put away</li><li>hangers only makes it VERY fast to put away</li><li>clothing in one room means everyone dresses in there, so laundry is already gathered</li><li>bedroom closets in the children's rooms are free for toys, and special things they want in there (personal storage)</li><li>no dressers frees up space in each child's room so they have more room to play</li><li>I keep a couple bags on the floor (the paper ones with handles) one for donate, one for outgrown and needs to be stored; this really helps me not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">over accumulate</span> and keep things streamlined and uncluttered.</li><li>I keep clothes that are in the cycle (outgrown by one, but about to be worn by another) on the shelf above the soon to wear child's clothes, this prevents forgetting about them and finding them when the second child has already outgrown them too.</li></ul><p>Mommy is sane! I win! I am victorious! I wouldn't even claim victory if I hadn't been doing this for quite some time now. It has been a couple months and the system has not failed me yet. I don't even have to think about it. EVERYTHING is right there. It is so simple and obvious. </p><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- Start Tracksy Code -->
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<!-- End Tracksy Code --></div>Blissfulbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14634500907084879208noreply@blogger.com3